Calibrachoa plant named ‘DCALCORANG’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Calibrachoa cultivar named ‘DCALCORANG’ is disclosed, characterized by a semi-trailing growth habit. The plants flower early and abundantly. The flower color is a dark, vivid orange and plants are day length neutral in flowering. The new variety is a Calibrachoa, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Calibrachoa hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DCALCORANG’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Calibrachoa hybrida cultivar is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger in Moshav MishmarHashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to producenew Calibrachoa varieties for commercial ornamental purposes with novelproduction characteristics. The cross resulting in this new variety wasmade during April of 2014.

The seed parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to asCalibrachoa ‘cv. Z-440’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietyvariety referred to as Calibrachoa ‘cv. 12-3093’. The new variety wasdiscovered in November of 2014 by the inventor in a group of seedlingsresulting from the 2014 crossing, in a greenhouse in Moshav MishmarHashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DCALCORANG’ was firstperformed by terminal vegetative cuttings at a greenhouse in MoshavMishmar Hashiva, Israel. Subsequent propagation by has shown that theunique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to typein more than 25 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DCALCORANG’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DCALCORANG’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DCALCORANG’ as a new and distinct Calibrachoacultivar:

-   -   1. Early flowering.    -   2. Abundant flowering.    -   3. Day length neutral flowering.    -   4. Vivid dark orange flowers.    -   5. Semi-trailing plant habit.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCORANG’ are similar to plants of theseed parent, Calibrachoa ‘cv. Z-440’ most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCORANG’ differ in thefollowing;

-   -   1. The seed parent is much more vigorous then the new variety.    -   2. The new variety flowers much earlier than the seed parent.    -   3. The seed parent has a light orange flower color, the new        variety has a darker orange flower.    -   4. The seed parent has a more open plant habit than the new        variety.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCORANG’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent, Calibrachoa ‘cv. 12-3093’ most horticulturalcharacteristics however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCORANG’ differin the following;

-   -   1. The pollen parent has a trailing growth habit, the new        variety has a semi-trailing habit.    -   2. The new variety produces more branches per plant than the        pollen parent.    -   3. The pollen parent has a light red flower color, the new        variety has a dark orange colored flower.    -   4. The new variety flowers abundantly, the pollen parent flowers        moderately.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCORANG’ can be compared to theunpatented commercial variety Calibrachoa ‘DANOA476’. These varietiesare similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘DCALCORANG’differs in the following:

-   -   1. ‘DCALCORANG’ is flowers earlier then ‘DANOA476’.    -   2. ‘DCALCORANG’ is day length neutral the comparison variety is        not.    -   3. ‘DCALCORANG’ has dark orange flower, the comparable variety        has light orange flowers    -   4. The comparable variety is much more vigorous then        ‘DCALCORANG’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCORANG’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety ‘Calipetite Red Improved’, patent status unverified.These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;however, ‘DCALCORANG’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. ‘DCALCORANG’ flower is dark orange, ‘Calipetite Red Improved’        is red.    -   2. ‘DCALCORANG’ has a larger flower than the comparison variety.    -   3. ‘DCALCORANG’ is more vigorous than the comparison variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘DCALCORANG’ grown in a greenhouse, in Moshav MishmarHashiva, Israel.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical mature flower of ‘DCALCORANG’during Spring. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 60 daysfrom a rooted cutting in a 13 cm pot.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2005 except where general termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘DCALCORANG’ plants grown in greenhouse inMoshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under natural lighting. Measurementswere taken during April of 2015. The plants were approximately 60 daysfrom a rooted cutting in a 13 cm pot. The growing temperature rangedfrom 15° C. to 28° C. during the days, 15° C. to 20° C. during thenights. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Calibrachoa hybrid ‘DCALCORANG’.

PROPAGATION

-   Typical method: Terminal vegetative cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: About 10-15 days at approximately 18° C.-   Root description: Fibrous. Colored tan and white, not accurately    measured with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Semi-trailing.-   Pot size of plant described: 13 cm.-   Height: To top of flowers: 9 cm.-   Plant spread: 40-50 cm.-   Growth rate: Medium.-   Branching characteristics:-   Length of primary lateral branches: About 20 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: About 0.3 cm.-   Quantity of primary lateral branches: 4.-   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:    -   -   Form.—Cylindrical.        -   Diameter.—About 0.3 cm.        -   Color.—Near Yellow-Green 146 C.        -   Texture.—Scabrous.        -   Strength.—Good.-   Internode length.—About 1.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 40 per branch.        -   Average length.—2.8 cm.        -   Average width.—1.1 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Base.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Pubescence.—Scabrous.        -   Aspect.—90 degrees.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: 137B RHS. Young foliage            under side: 147B RHS. Mature foliage upper side: N137B RHS.            Mature foliage under side: 147B RHS.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: 137A            RHS. Venation color under side: 147B RHS.        -   Petiole.—Length: 1 to 2 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color: Near            Green N137B RHS. Texture: Glabrous.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: All seasons.-   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: About 20-30 days.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Individual salverform    flowers. Outwardly facing.-   Rate of flower opening: 2 to 3 days from bud to fully opened flower.-   Flower longevity on plant: 4 to 7 days.-   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: About 70.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Ovoid.        -   Length.—0.2 0.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.15 cm.        -   Color.—Yellow-Green 145CRHS.-   Flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—3.5-4 cm.        -   Length.—3.5-4 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—0.3 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—1.1 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Length from throat.—1.5 to 2.0 cm.        -   Width.—1.8 to 2.0 cm.        -   Quantity.—5.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Entire.-   Color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near Red 44B and Red 46B, both            colors present. Lower surface: Near Orange-Red 35C with            Red-Purple 61A veins.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near Red 42B and 44A, both            colors present. Lower surface: Near Orange-Red 35C with 61A            veins. Flower throat (inside): Near Yellow 10A. Flower            throat, vein: Near Red 46C. Flower tube (outside): Near            Yellow 8B. Flower tube, vein: Near Red 46A. Petal color,            fading to: Near Orange N25A with Red 42A.-   Calyx/sepals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—Lance-Shaped (lanceolate).        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Width.—0.4 cm.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near Yellow-Green 147B. Lower Surface:            Near Yellow-Green 147C.-   Peduncle: Not Present.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—2 to 2.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Color.—Near Yellow-Green 147C.        -   Orientation.—45 degrees from branch.-   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Filament length.—0.8 to 1.3 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Length.—0.15 cm.        -   Shape.—Globose.        -   Color.—Near Yellow 9C.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near Yellow 6C. Quantity: Scant.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—1.2 cm.        -   Style.—Length: 0.9 cm. Color: Near Green 138C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Oblate. Color: Near Green 138A. Ovary Color:            Near Yellow-Green 145B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: About 30 Brown, rounded seeds of about 0.5 mm    diameter, per one brown, conical capsule. Capsule light brown, seeds    dark brown, neither accurately measured with R.H.S. chart.-   Disease/pest resistance: Typical to known Calibrachoa varieties.    Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and    pests of Calibrachoa have been observed. Pests common to Calibrachoa    include Aphids and thrips. Typical diseases are Botrytis and    Pythium.-   Temperature tolerance: 5° C. to 30° C.-   Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plantnamed ‘DCALCORANG’ as herein illustrated and described.